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Pesticide Data: Bad News For Toddlers
(Beyond Pesticides, June 15, 2004) New research from the United Kingdom
reveals continuing problems with high levels of pesticide residues on fruits
popular with children, including apples, pears and grapes. The report
was released by the Pesticides Safety Directorate of the UK government on June
10, 2004.

The research
showed that a quarter of apples and pears tested contained more than one pesticide
residue, and some contained up to six different types of pesticide, some above
the maximum residue levels (MRLs), which are the legal limits on the level of
residue permitted when food is put into circulation in the UK. Results from
the UK’s National
School Fruit Scheme, also out this month, showed similar results. Dicofol,
a possible carcinogen and suspected `gender-bending' chemical, was found above
legal levels in two Brazilian apple samples from the school fruit scheme. A
toxic organophosphate, dimethoate, was found above legal levels in two retail
apple samples.

Nearly a third of grapes had multiple pesticide residues, with levels of methomyl,
an acutely toxic, suspected hormone disrupter, above legal limits. Test results
for grapes released last week also found two pesticides at levels that could
cause possible health effects such as nausea, headaches, abdominal cramps and
diarrhoea. Raspberry samples were found to contain up to six different pesticides,
including bifenthrin, a suspected hormone disrupter.

Friends of the Earth is
calling on the UK Government to do more to support the nation’s farmers
and growers in finding alternatives to hazardous chemical pesticides and to
eliminate pesticide residues in food as quickly as possible.

Friends of the Earth Pesticides Campaigner Liz Wright stated, "At a time
when the Government is trying to get everyone to eat more fruit and vegetables,
it should be doing more to ensure that healthy food does not contain hidden
extras. Babies and young children need extra protection from pesticide residues.
If baby food can be residue free, there is no reason why all fruit and vegetables
can't be, particularly those which are popular with children."

Other findings from the report include:

Lettuce
- lettuces were again found to contain a variety of multiple residues, with
up to six pesticides present on a single lettuce. One sample contained enough
inorganic bromide to cause potential health concerns, with safety levels exceeded
by up to four times. Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) were also exceeded for
azoxystrobin in a UK lettuce and endosulfan, a suspected human hormone disrupter,
in a Spanish lettuce.

Cherries
- half of samples contained multiple residues, with a quarter exceeding legal
levels. Carbendazim (in Canadian cherries) and fenvalerate (in Iranian cherries)
were found above the MRL - both are suspected endocrine disrupters, and carbendazim
has been found to effect sperm production in rats.

Pumpkin
- four UK samples contained residues of dieldrin, a persistent, carcinogenic
chemical not approved in the UK since 1981. It is thought likely that it arose
indirectly from former usage before the chemical was banned.

Fruit
bread - a third of samples contained multiple residues - up to five different
pesticides per sample. Residues found included carbendazim, chlorpyrifos (an
organophosphate with restricted uses in the USA) and iprodione (a suspected
endocrine disrupter and carcinogen).

TAKE
ACTION: Children face greater risk from pesticide residues on
food than adults due to their developing organ systems. Work to protect children
by getting local and organic foods
into your local schools. Berkeley (CA) Unified School District has taken a major
step in providing children with sustainable and organic food in its cafeterias.
The food policy, established in 1999, is part of an overall mission to "improve
the health of the entire community by teaching students and families ways to
establish and maintain life-long healthy eating habits." To find out how
your school can pass a similar policy,
start a school garden, and/or get involved in a local farm to school program,
contact Beyond Pesticides.